Thank you for watching!! **Please note, we've recently learned that there is a recall on the rock n play!** Additional video --> 3 T I P S F O R Y O U R B A B Y R E G I S T R Y : See the full video on FB here: facebook.com/474379899366747/posts/1549820258489367/ Or see the video on IGTV here: instagram.com/tv/B8ux6rhnUGu/
I vacuumed under the cribs, with the sleeping children, on babies 2-4. I was a quiet Mama with baby 1 and really regretted it. The other babies learned to live with us, not the other way around. From day one, we lived and the babies learned to be so used to family sounds, that they slept like little rocks through the life of a family. Great tips, thanks!
I have tried this with all of my kids and it hasn't worked. They have been light sleepers until the age of 2, BUT the sound machine is such a blessing. They will be soothed by soft music or 1 steady sound that isn't too loud, but not much else. It was a frustrating few years. I did what I was advised by so many- make noise so they get used to it. Ugh. ..they never did as younger babies. But that white noise machine ♡♡♡♡ AAAAAMEN! 😁😁😁😁😃
One of my kids would fall asleep most easily when she would hear me talking to someone else. I found that totally logical because she had heard that sound for all of her life, as early as intrauterine ;-) Creature comforts, I suppose.
My daughter worked full time in an automotive factory until 38 weeks pregnant. My grandson sleeps like a rock. He actually likes noise to sleep to and it takes a lot for him to wake up. Even our loud beagle barking at the door bell doesnt phase him.
I had twins - and the zippered sleepers were basically all they wore while we figured out life together. Snaps are *hard* at 2:00am :D. I had one that had reflux, so we definitely went through more than needing 3 - but you guys are spot on with "wait and see what you need". Truth be told, we moved into a bigger house after they were born (3 kids total), because we were inundated with stuff. This past year (kids now 9, 6 and 6), we sold everything and are full time RV living. Minimalism (and no diapers!) has forever changed our lives - and YOU are to thank!
My daughter was opposite would wake up with zipper sleepers and her one leg would always get stuck but would sleep through diaper changes with snap sleepers. The 5 snaps at the bottom allowed us to keep her warm and not undo the top. This may change for summer though.
Shannon Eaton How cute cool 😎 is THAT!! You should RUclips your adventures !! Do you love it?? Happy you did it? I’m single, old and not in the best health, but if it wasn’t for all that, I’d love to RV around the countryside!! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
I loved the zippered sleepers and also the bag sleepers too (I actually don't know what they are truly called since I've only called them bags lol). Those bags were amazing! Drawstring at the bottom, easy peasy. Full time RVing is awesome! Happy travels!
Mom of 9, muslin blanket 2, 2 hooded towels with washcloths, mesh bath seat they dry fast and fold out of the way, changing table held all of babies things, burp cloths, ergo or ring sling. I still have my ring sling with shoulder pad I got 25 years ago and it's still GOOD. My kids had a wooden ring to chew on, nuby necklace with the colorful beads, that moose and a Sophie giraffe..then I had a chew necklace I used with all of them. And I got a diaper bag set that had 2 bags. I used the small bag, never used the big one even with several little ones. I used cloth so I could adjust snaps for who ever needed it. This bag still looks new and I just passed it on after 25 years. Then I got coming home outfit, one pack of onsies for each size, after first 4 I wish they had all been neutral from first baby lol, 2 gowns, 3 sleep n play per size and couple caps. As they got older a few books, blocks and stacking and sorting toy. And I've used a hape kitchen through almost all my kids it has lime green and came with food and pots. As they got older we added a baby doll, doll house, Legos, cars, stroller, dress ups and balance bikes. They have played with everything except the doll house they take everything out and play with everything elsewhere just like yours Dawn. Things we don't like is paint, markers, glue, and rice lol seriously we stopped eating any rice till they got to be around 7-8 lol and glitter is a church art not a home art accessory Oh and I second the bouncy seat and would add a highchair. We had a 4in one and could use differentparts for 2 kids at a time. And we co slept till they got in twin beds so no other beds needed. We didn't do strollers but bought one for $5 bucks, the umbrella strollers right before I had my last so daddy could get through the hospital faster with the little ones. The parking garage was very far. Love this video! Oh a glider rocker with ottoman or other rocking recliner I feel is a must. At a shower or sprinkle ask for stuff in bigger sizes and those simple toys. Don't be afraid to ask for a high chair either. Or plug covers for when they get bigger
I worked as a NP in a pediatric clinic sometime ago. We used to tell our expectant moms that baby needed a car seat, a place to sleep ( a dresser drawer, bassinet whatever as long as it’s safe), something to eat ( breast is best and already comes I it’s own container-lol), something to wear/stay warm ( diapers and a few blankets) My youngest child is 19- never had a video monitor and after my first baby I stopped using the baby monitor. I could pretty much hear them if they needed me. A stroller and/or baby carrier is helpful too. Love your videos!
YESSSS! And not all of the poor babies that died in them where from misuse like not using the buckles. Some where from babies with poor head control being able to move their head to clear their airway. 💔
this is awesome! I never bought one just always kept a recycles shopping bag and an extra garbage bag folded up in there. Free, easy to replace, and I don't have to wash it!
My oldest is 40 and I made my own carrier out of denim before there were many to buy (1978)I didn’t have a pattern and used my teddy bear as a model baby. Good times! By the way, all 4 grand kids eventually used the carrier.
We were in the military having our second baby 28 years ago, stationed overseas. We didn’t have anywhere to buy baby things, and didn’t have the money to buy them anyway. So, we really do know that you do not need very many things at all with a new baby. We hardly had anything, and it really worked out just fine. Thanks, Jennifer
If no one else already said it, I would add binkie clips! Such a small thing but was huge for us when our girls were babies. If your kiddo takes a binkie, then it's really helpful. Before we got them, we would be in a panic if we realized we left the house without a binkie. 😅 Having it clipped on her was super helpful, especially in public places too. And a nursing cover was needed for me. I had lots of burp cloths (too many and I have downsized a lot for our third one due in May!) and those are mutli purpose, but I liked the security and privacy of an actual cover that wrapped around my neck. :) And YES to the cheap small backpacks as diaper bags! Got mine at Ross. Way easier on my back and not as easy to overstuff with non-essentials.
I love hand me downs, but learned my lesson about being clear about exchanges. When I had my daughter, my sister-in-law "gave" me all her baby girl things. She had two daughters, so there was a lot of stuff (including toddler and older kid sizes). I went through it all and gave away things I didn't think I would need. Then.... about a year later, she was pregnant again and asked for the things back! Apparently she intended to "lend" me the things, not give. I still feel anxious thinking about it... having to explain to her that I didn't keep it all. I ended up buying some things (mobile, etc) brand new to make up for it. So, some cautionary advice - make sure to ask whether things are "for keeps" or just "for now". :)
Good tip! My friend "gave" me alot of cloth for boy since I have had two girls before him... Now she is pregnant with 4th baby and I'm so glad I didn't gave away what I didn't need/use... I will give her back now
I made a baby changing station on top of my dresser(bath towel and needed supplies) in our bedroom to change the baby at night after nursing , then I could put them back to sleep in the bassinet (garage sale find!) in our room. Once the baby slept through the night they went to their own room. My babies either burped up a lot or drooled a lot and needed bibs around their necks 24/7.....I had 20+bibs since I had to change them multiple times a day! Bouncy seat was nice and used with both. They really don’t need much!
I agree with all your ideas. My 2 cents on a couple items. For crib: Don't buy a fancy one with the conversion set to a twin bed frame! You never know if your crib is even going to survive the teething phase because that wooden top can sometimes be a favorite and it will look like a beaver destroyed your fancy investment For sound machine: I think a sound machine is essential also for mommy stress. Dads usually sleep through anything but a mom tends to be extremely attuned to every tiny sound coming through the monitor. With out a sound machine to cover all the little innocent noises babies make while sleeping, us mommies are constantly up checking on them thinking the worst....
Car seat and stroller! My daughter had a stroller that was pretty compact that held the car seat. We liked that. After 2 children and 4 grand children I’d say a medium bulk stroller was our fave. We liked a one pice handle better than the two hook handles so it could be pushed with one hand. Easy to fold and lift with one hand also a plus.
Thanks, ladies, that was fun! My baby is 33 years old now, but gowns with draw strings at the bottom were my #1 essential for her when she was very young. It’s SO much easier to change diapers under a gown than in a onesie or footed sleeper!
If you check out old photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s, all babies (males and females) were in dresses/gowns until they were fully toilet trained. It makes diaper changes and runs to the potty so much easier.
Thank you for putting a sound machine on the list, I feel this is something most parents have no idea how valuable they are with help a little one sleep and the rest of the family to feel comfortable making noise in the house when baby is sleeping. Also to look on market place for items. Baby items are used for such a short time so getting gently used stuff is so wonderful. Thank you ladies!
I totally agree to the sleepers and onesies! My daughter lives in those! They really were her most comfortable clothes. Those fancy baby jeans, frilly blouses and dresses she would grab at, start crying, and became fussy wearing. It’s about baby’s comfort and protection, not the parents representing their style on baby dressing. My favorite tip of your baby essentials!
We got a pack'n'play that had an insert for littler babies to sleep in before they could sit up. It suspended from the top and made it shallower so was easy to reach in to get bub. Used it heaps. Ours used the same mattress from the bottom of the pack'n'play so was great for my baby giant who quickly outgrew the LARGE cradle we had.
Its literally different for every baby though. My first loved to be worn so we bought baby carriers but no swings or special bassinets etc. My 2nd has special needs to we went through a ton of different devices to help her sit, had to try several high chairs and car seats....so much baby gear! And my 3rd baby likes swings, but not to be worn. The best advice is ask friends for baby stuff to borrow so you're not out a bunch of money if stuff doesnt work out.
My boys were opposites. The one liked his bed, the one liked my bed. The one ate from the pump bottles, the other wanted gerber bottles. The one woke easily, the other I could vacuum under the bed. The one wanted the pacifier, the other didn’t. Now they are adults. One is a nerdy boy, the other artistic. The one likes pork, the other beef. It’s nice because I have favourite things for them and memories are affixed to each guy. A staple in our home was a playpen...been a few years! 😄
@@chelseaandrews200 I still remember the love I had for those little prefolded diapars. And I loved all the money saved! I had a system for washing and air drying! One thing: anyone trying cloth diapars, watch the amount and kind of soap/detergent. Use a nontoxic one, and do the several rinses. I started out with more like the recommended amount of detergent or soap, and then ran rinses to clear with the washer. It was unbelievable how many rinses it took before suds weren't coming out with the rinse water. Now I use nontoxic detergent, and if a little did accidentally get left, it probably woulnd't even bother the tender tushes like the other detergents/soaps did.
Hello! I'm fond of your advices for minimal living! Thank you! As to the last point of this list - baby carrier, as a mom of two with big experience with slings, I must say, that the best and the healthiest option for both mother and child are ergonomic carriers. Others like kangaroo etc are bad for the spine of both. I don't want to be critical, but if future moms are going to buy a carrier, please search firstly about ergonomic carriers.
I love the baby items. The one worry with co-sleeping is that it does raise the risk of SIDS according to studies. A crib that can be right beside the parents bed can be a good option.
I got all my bottles for free from the registry bags (Target, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, etc) as well as the insurance-provided pump box. I also got free tins of formula from those boxes too!
I love the mix trial sets of bottles. Was great to have several to try. We found the winner and stuck with it for the next couple of years. I also signed up for all the freebies from making wish lists at various stores and then kept all the different brand of pacifiers that came with them. This also helped narrow it down to one brand.
I agree! Borrow, borrow, borrow until you figure out what you want & need. We hated my best friend’s favorite carrier but loved a borrowed bassinet that I thought we wouldn’t use. And definitely keep the tags on those clothes!
My oldest is 22 and I STILL use the container thing to wash lids and rings, etc in the dishwasher on the top rack. A swing was essential for my kids. Baby Einstein was big when my kids were babies....we listened to music and to this day the cd i played immediately makes all six of us sleepy. I also co-slept with a couple of my kids .... Was working full time and had to do what i had to do.
The only baby seat type thing we really used for all 4 kids was a baby swing. I totally agree with the sleepers. They are so comfy for them! And simple!
We loved the Muslim burbs clothes. Our staple was plain white towels and face clothes. We were gifted so many hooded towels etc and he out grew them fast. It was nicer to wrap him in a big towel. Another tip is to sign up for all the baby freebies and samples. That's how we tried bottles etc. We have enough sample baby wash and bum cream until hes a teenager lol. We donated alot to a nearby shelter. We also out grew things fast at first. We have tons of gifts that are unworn etc. We packed a bin with all the brand new stuff for upcoming baby showers. We also save the diaper boxes. They are sturdy and great for putting all the outgrown clothing etc in them. Also check out local big box places for diapers. We buy from Costco. A case that lasts 6 weeks is about 40.00 cdn. We are positive the diapers are made by a name brand for them. We love the Kirkland brand diapers. The Pampers wipes by the case are amazing. You can never have enough for messy clean ups. Also a tip we found. We put a Google mini into my grandsons room (hes almost 2). After story time if hes still restless we ask the google mini to tell him a bedtime story. In tandum with the monitor, you can use the voice on the monitor to reactivate the mini if you need to. I swear my grandsons first statement was okay Google lol. I also use it to send music to his room at bedtime. Babies are so much fun. It can be a little stressful but once you find your communication it's amazing. My biggest advice is to try and be calm. The baby feeds off your vibe. If your calm and the baby gets that they can relax as well. ❤❤❤
My new babies sleep in my room so I changed my night stand light bulb to an 8 watt bulb so it was more like a night light. Zipper sleepers are a must, pack n plays are not necessary but I’m finally using mine in the house as a play pen for my 15 month old to keep him out of trouble while I homeschool. I’ve definitely gone more minimal with every baby. The only thing they need a lot of is love!
My baby days are behind me but you are "right on" with your tips. So many new moms buy everything they see in the store and have many regrets. I am a grandma now of a three year old and literally have one change of clothes and pajamas at my house with a pack of pull-ups and a pack of wipes at my house. I keep a gallon Ziploc bag tucked behind her car seat with two pull-ups and some wipes in a smaller Ziploc bag. We are good to go. Of course for tiny babies, you will need a bottle of two. If a crazy accident happens, you can always run to Wal-Mart and get a change of clothes for under $10.
Donna Braud I kept a diaper and wipes at least in my car for my grandkids. Also had my own car seats since my grand kids live close and go with me pretty often.
Something that we did is we also had a plastic tub in the trunk of our car that had additional baby items in it (and we changed it out as the kids grew). Extra diapers, wipes, washable changing mat, sippy cups, bottled water, a complete change of clothes (seasonal), ziplock bags (for soiled items) and a blanket. We also kept additional car toys in there that we would rotate through the vehicle and back to the box (never anything that was in the house--it was more special that way). We lived overseas where it was a long drive to anywhere and more than once those additional clothes/diapers etc came in handy when we were nowhere near civilization! We did this for YEARS and it was a great way to keep the diaper bag lighter knowing you still had supplies available to restock your bag in case of a mommy emergency!
I absolutely love everything you create, Dawn! I am SO thankful for you. ❤️ I hope this doesn't come across as rude at all, but please really reconsider using the rock n play. I had one too, but now know how very dangerous they are. Thanks again for all that you do, I truly appreciate your videos!
YESSSS! And not all of the poor babies that died in them where from misuse like not using the buckles. Some where from babies with poor head control being able to move their head to clear their airway. 💔
I am due in 2 weeks and my other daughter is 8 years old. I have gained some wisdom through that time and We are going super minimal this time around! Thanks for the tips
I think your main message is very true - wait and see what YOUR baby needs. We never used a bouncy seat, for example. As for a place to sleep - I really loved having a babybay for my second daughter. It made sleeping at night so much easier.
Nice list 👍🏼 Minimalism for babies is the easiest minimalism of all 😁 The only things you need for baby in my opinion is -5 season appropriate baby outfits. -10 flat cloth diapers -2 or 3 diaper covers - diaper snappies or pins -2 good blankets (one thick enough to be a playmat) -a nap mat -any mid sized bag or purse -a baby carrier (or scarf + 2 stretch tank tops) That’s it. I am about to have baby number 5 and by number 3 I was able to leave the house, during decent weather, with just a wallet, a single cloth diaper and a plastic grocery bag tied into a tiny ball on my keys. It made life so much simpler!
Swaddles blankets i didnt use as much as i thought i would but sleep sacks and the love to dream swaddle up 50/50 i loved, aden and anais burpy bibs are the best, the hatch baby rest sound machine i loved so much i bought myself one, the carrier was essential for me, and a pack n play with bassinet and a toy bar were amazing.
We did not have a white sound machine. Our first was awake, I swear, when we even looked at her. The other two slept with the sounds of home. We had a two story house. We used a bassinette downstairs with the first two when they were real little. With the third, we had a pack-n-play with an elevated level for when he was tiny, and we used that all the time. The other thing about the pack n play was that he was "at home in his own crib" when we traveled, and would sleep well in it. Sleepers for sure were the most versatile, practicle clothing pieces. or our first, we received many dresses and other dressy clothes. Many of which were worn once. And many of which she was restless and uncomfortable in. With the second and third, we went with comfort and ease all the way. One thing that is available now are the little leather Robies and they are such comfy little shoes, and they are a nice gift. No little babies here, but fun to listen and think about!
Nosefrida; a good thermometer is Essential; regular-sized fingernail clippers; insulated infant seat cover is a nice thing to have for cold climates (bonus: the baby isn't wearing anything bulky under the straps - this goes on top of the car seat and straps, and zips up, with a hole for the baby's head); easily-collapsable-with-one-hand stroller with cup holder and enough storage underneath for a diaper bag and/or sack of groceries; Robeez for when they're learning to walk - hard for the baby to pull off and lose, esp. if worn with socks. A set of stacking cups and some blocks, and maybe a secure key ring with some old keys (washed, of course).
My 4 kids, who are now from 47 to 37, lived in onesies and dr. denton pj's till they could walk. They are the best. Buy the way Gage did a great job in the video.
I'm pregnant with our first and this video was so helpful! Would love to hear more wisdom from the two of you about kids and minimal/money-conscious living!
Both my kids spat up... A LOT! Invest in big burp clothes (I loved using cloth diapers) and bibs of all sizes. I also needed a stock of Oxi Clean and/or Shout!
My daughter finally got a video monitor for baby 3, and it is wonderful. When I babysit the grands, I can take the older ones outside to play while the baby is napping in the house, but I can monitor when he wakes up. We had a sound only monitor for the first two, and it was just not as useful. My daughter used a Pack N Play for her second child until she was probably almost 2 because the two girls were not compatible sleepers for a long time. Her #3 is now 20 months old, and he sleeps in the Pack N Play now. The two girls have now moved from their cribs to big girl beds; for right now the actual cribs are dismantled and put away. Being able to easily move the Pack N Play to other rooms or for travel has worked well. Baby #4 will also be in some kind of Pack N Play type bed when he/she arrives in the next couple of weeks. One other thing that we got when my daughter was a baby was a portable playyard type fence. We put it around our old-fashioned very heavy TV on a cart (30+ years ago before flat-screens were around- and it protected both the TV and my daughter from damage.) Now all these years later, she uses the same fence to keep the kids away from the brick hearth/fireplace. It is a little worn, but it does its job and we have certainly gotten our money's worth out of it Thanks for sharing your thoughts. When my daughter was born, we must have received 10 or so baby dresses for her from people at church. Very few of them got much wear. Keeping babies in sleepers just simplifies life.
I agree. You really don’t need much for babies. It’s tough too because if it’s your first baby and someone is throwing you a shower I feel like you get pressure to register for all the baby things. And if you don’t register, you just end up getting whatever that person thinks you need and that’s not always ideal either. I’m minimizing and decluttering and the amount of baby stuff I’m getting rid of is just insane. Side note: rock n plays are no longer being sold and have been recalled due to infant deaths. Everyone said to get one so I had one with my first but threw it out for my second after I heard about the dangers.
Cloud Island PJs from Target are the BEST! They have inverted zippers so you unzip bottom to top so only the legs/belly are exposed when changing diaper so baby can stay warm! Also, they have the fold over sleeves in all the sizes! My baby would scratch herself as she slept and sometimes it'd wake her up. So everytime she goes down for a nap or to bed we cover her hands and she sleeps so much better that way. (I'm not a big Target person, I learned about the PJs from Jordan Page! She is about to have baby #7 and #8 anyday now so she's pretty much an expert lol 😍) I actually really love cloth diapers solely for the fact that there are next to no blowouts with them!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Love My Baby brand on Amazon is the cheapest I've found for quality pocket diapers with snaps. I loved them. Rock n plays have been recalled. Many babies have died in them. Some through misuse and others from the babies with lack of head control being able to move their head to have a clear airway. 💔 I LOVE our bouncer! We have one that takes batteries and bounces the baby 🎉 game changer! I love my baby ktan wrap! Just used it today actually when we were out and about and my baby needed a nap. We LOVE sleep sacks! We're big on the fleece ones from Carters (Walmart use to sell them too but then stopped for some reason?). It's a wearable blanket! Because it is highly recommended to have zero blankets in the sleep area with baby per SIDS prevention guidelines. If you need a crib bumper try the mesh ones, they are breathable if baby gets their face all up in it. I don't think stores even sell non mesh bumpers anymore (thank goodness). Stroller that carseat can easily lock onto and then just be a regular stroller when you need it to be. I love the Baby Trend jogger one! It's price cheap but great quality, in my opinion. Bottle brushes are awesome for washing dishes other than just bottles too. Our second baby loves her mattress vibrator paddle thing we got off Amazon. Putting the carseat handle all the way down (behind baby) when it's in the car is extra protection incase of an accident. I know a lot of people leave it up incase of a roll over accident but you're more likely to get into a front, side, or back impact accident than a roll over. No rice cereal, it has arsenic in it. 😳 (No idea how they are allowed to be sold....) In a pinch an (empty) laundry basket makes a great bassinet! Invest in a good digital thermometer that you can touch to baby's forehead. Fanny packs can fit a little thing of wipes and a few diapers. I love using that when I don't need to bring the entire diaper bag along. I used it at Disney World/Universal for my then 2 year old when we lived in the area and would go a few times a week. It was awesome. Light weight, barely remembered it was there. Can hold other things too. Don't have to take it off to go on rides. I got a super cute one at Clair's and I love it.
A noisy box fan works just as well as a noise machine. That is what my friend did with hers and I do it with mine now too, but I bet a noise machine is much easier to travel with. Also, 3 - 5 muslin blankets, onsies, and wraps are fine if you have a washer/dryer at home. If however, you are like me and have to go to the laundry mat I'd recommend 10 - 14 of each, depending on how often you go to the laundry mat. Definitely buy a few more than you think you'll need because going to the laundry mat is not going to be a priority in the beginning. My little guy came to me with an undiagnosed allergy to his formula and to the red dye in medicine; he threw up constantly so it wasn't unusual to go through 3 - 5 sets of clothing and onsies in a day. Even once we sorted his formula and I stopped all meds with red dye he still would go through more than 3 - 5 sets in a week, sometimes in a day. Spit up, food and formula spills during feeding, etc.
Big Avent ( or any brand tbh) steam steriliser for bottles/ pumping equipment, nipple shields and pacifiers - ran it every night for as long as we used baby bottles and then we used it occasionally for the the sippy cups too. Ran it during the day too, I think it took about 15 minutes to steam sterilise and then dry down, no need to watch it (unlike a boiling pot or water on the stove) and no need to use the Milton's solution which imho are harsh chemicals that we can do without. I know some people use a microwave steam steriliser but we don't have a microwave and didn't want one. Once we were done with it we donated it to a friend who had gone on to do donate to someone else - so it's a real workhorse.
These are all really interesting. I got a pack and play with a double bassinet and my boys slept in there for the first several months. They each had two pacifiers, one for holding off the nighttime feeding and one for the car/church, and we phased those out at six months. I never used a white noise machine, I was blessed with great sleepers and they sleep through everything. My life saver was a double stroller that the car seats could click into, that way I could get out with both of them by myself, and we went for lots of walks once they were able to sit in the stroller seats. A baby carrier was great too, when I went grocery shopping I would keep one in their car seat and I would wear the other. We used booster seats instead of high chairs and at first we actually used them on the floor because we didn't have a proper kitchen table and chairs, we had stools. They lived in sleepers for the first 6 months,I loved the sleepers that snapped. They're two now and average about 5 shirts each. But they have like 20 pairs of pants, yay for potty training 😒
As a mom of 3 under 3 who sleep trained (all 3 sleep through the night since 2 months old) I highly recommend the hatch sound machine! I color code it and have timers set so my kids know when it’s nap time vs bedtime. Totally worth the investment!
My kids went through 7/8 sleepers a day. 2 snowsuits a day I’d no dryer so I needed double everything so up to 40 sleep suits 4/5 snow suits countless blankets. 😬
The rap that you guys showed I still use it in my daughters one it’s really helpful when you have to go through things on your own and it has a very good video to show you how to use it
I agree with pretty much all you said. If you borrow older equipment please make sure it is in good condition still. Our borrowed swing looked ok and then started sparking /smoking one day. Thankfully our son wasn't in it at the time. My essentials list would be minimal now but would definitely include a stroller in that list.
I have a 6 week old, our first baby, and would agree with all of this. I have more onesies and muslin cloths though which works for us because I hate laundry lol. Plus he seems to spit up a lot? So if we only had 5 of each then we would be needing to do laundry pretty much everyday (wash, dry and fold) which isn’t not a top priority to me. Plus, we got a ton of those as gifts!! I would recommend Burts Bees clothing, I love their onesies. They can be organic which is important to us, and I love the neutrals (they are all white and grey). Also just wanted to say, I don’t have social media accounts besides RUclips so I really hope you guys don’t put everything on FB or IG! I love your videos, they are such an inspiration. God Bless!
I have a newborn right now, and 5 sleepers and onsies is NOT enough! My baby is 1 month old and he pees, poops or pukes on 3-4 outfits a day! As a sleep deprived parent, I'm not doing a load of laundry every single day! I think I have about 10 and that's perfect to go a couple days. This baby is my #7 and I've never used a baby monitor or a noise machine. I'm glad we have our pack n play, but we only use it for traveling. The one thing I love that you didn't mention was a boppy pillow! I use it for nursing, to lay baby in on the couch or my bed, and I also make my other children use it when they are holding the baby. Babies definitly don't need as much stuff as we think. I remember being so overwhelmed by how much stuff (I thought) we had to buy when I was expecting my first.
I think we are done having babies, but I still enjoyed you two talk about this. I highly recommend a Mei Tai baby carrier, my third baby lived there and I only wish I already had one with our eldest. You can use it when they are a toddler also, they carried both on back and belly.
Definitely needed more sleepers for my boys than just 5 in each size. That wouldn’t even last a day for them during the newborn to 3-6 month stages (0-3 months)! Also, we got a changing table never used it regularly. We had diapers and such with it, but generally used a waterproof pad on our sofa. Especially when baby number 2 came, we never used it! We had a combo crib/ changing table, and for baby number 2 the table was never set up.
I shared this video (and other similar ones re: baby registry) with my daughter who is expecting her 1st baby soon. Really appreciate both of you for sharing your experience and wisdom 😘. She is very fortunate to receive well loved baby items from friends and friends of friends! She’s also bought a number of used baby items on FB Marketplace. Good tips about the diaper bag, and she received a very similar one you showed as a shower gift.
Lol I wish I could've seen this... my first just turned one and the amount of stuff I bought was slightly ridiculous. Definitely learned that what I envisioned in my head and baby's preferences werent always the same. 😆
Great tips. My kids are older now, but I totally agree. I can't believe the stuff we bought and got. The only thing I would not recommend is the nose thing. Besides it being gross, our pediatrician say it might irritate the inside of the the nose even more and make it swell up. He recommended not to use it. We didn't and never had any issues.
We have still sound machines in our room and my sons (14 yr old) room. Helps on weekends when you still need sleep and he wants to stay up later and talk with friends because our house isn’t a split floor plan.
I use a small fan turned against the wall as our noise machine. I've read that actual noise instead of a digital sound mach me is better for their ears and brain. It's cheap too!
I have 2 little boys and #3 on the way, and I totally agree that babies need very little. ❤️ I bought loads of stuff, everything brand new and top of the line with my first. I spent way too much money and all that stuff cluttered up our home. Yes, borrow!! Buy used!! The things I used the most: Moby Wrap & Ergobaby, the Lotus travel crib used at home as you don’t have to struggle to lean over, it zips in the front. And now they have a cordless breastpump, Elvie, that I’m thinking may be worth the investment.
The bounce seat..... = "The Puppy Chair"..... my youngest daughter has used and LOVED that same chair through 2 babies and you're right....they LIVED in that thing... lol
I totally went the opposite on a diaper bag! I'm home with my daughter, so I wanted something that I like. 😂 My husband will carry it too, but I don't think blue florals would have been his first pick. 😂
Expecting baby #2! Thank you so much for this! My eldest is 3, and boy, there some things you really forget! I pulled out newborn clothes and my first didn't even wear about half of what we have. I DO however remember that sleepers are basically the only thing they wear. lol
The rocker bed you showed was my all time favorite! Both my girls had reflux, they weren’t around for my first daughter but they had come out for my second and it’s the only thing she could safely sleep in. Also another must for me was a bottle warmer. My second daughter had to be on prescription formula after a couple months of breast feeding and having a bottle warmer in the middle of the night or even the day was great!
I got lucky. Both of my boys were fine the bottles that came with the pump. I never had to buy any others. This is a great list. Luckily I found minimalism right before I had my first so I only went with the essentials and pretty much used most of the things I received. Except for maybe the loads of hand me downs from cousins. The only thing I didn’t have with my first that I have with my second is a sound machine and you are so right, now I’m hooked and have one in my room too!
Oh my goodness!! Your daughter is darling!! You must have so much fun with her curly-whirly hair. Best wishes on baby #2!! You almost made me baby hungry...almost...(5 is enough for me 😄).
A monitor and white noise machine are both non-essential in my books. Give them a minute when they fuss or cry and you'll know whether they will settle back down or not. Also, we always spoke in normal voices and carried on in the house normally so our kids slept (and still sleep -- they are 12 and 9 now) through pretty much any time regular noises.
My daughter (35 next month!! How did that happen??😳), was a very "sicky" baby. She constant regurgitated milk between feeds for no apparent reason for over a year, so muslin cloths were absolutely essential to save clothes, furniture and to clean her up. So much so that she slept with a cloth and her favourite teddy for years. They were totally invaluable, easy to wash and a life saver as far as our clothes went. Diana, you are absolutely glowing and Addy and Gage are both adorable! xx
I struggled with nursing bras and their clasps, so i discovered that a good sports bra worked great for me to nurse in. I also couldn’t handle nursing tops, hence in the end I had to sell all of those I bought prior to the baby being born. I didn’t invest in a diaper genie initially. We used a regular trash can with a lid and scented trash bags. But by the time we had baby #2, it was too stinky in their room that I bought a diaper genie from FB marketplace and we still have it now 4 babies later. Hooded towels aren’t necessary I’ve learned. They are great for when the baby is very young and small, but as they get to even 6-8 months, a regular towel works just as great. I live in Canada, so I’ve learned the importance of a good, fleece-lined car seat cover in the winter. That was a great buy from marketplace and a total essential item to have. Oh, and stroller! I’ve learned that the lighter, the more compact the better. I’ve gone through many strollers. In the end, I found that the “sit and stow” or “stow and go” (can’t remember the exact name) was the best and easiest to maneuver especially with multiple other kids in town and groceries in hands. ~mandy
Thought of another one: sleepers. I know some busy mamas who have their newborns just live in sleepers, and that is totally fine. I didn't have a problem dressing them during the day in basic clothes (onesies, pants, socks), and have a few cuts outfits for going out. Infant clothes are designed to be comfortable and babies can sleep in anything, really. I never felt the need to dress them in pajamas for all their naps.
We’re going to be first time grandparents this June and yes these a lot of things out there now a lot more since having my own kids half of it you don’t need a lot of it Xx
I would add with the muslin blankets, they are super cute to hang up as decor as well, and you can swap them out. ❤ nesting is fun but as you said taking off all those tags was a waste for me because I ended up with a baby over 9lbs! 💙
Omgoodness Diana's daughter is a doll. Such gorgeous eyes. All great info. I have 2 daughters, 1 & 4 years old, the sound machine is definitely a must have and yes even a second one by the door too 😂😂😂😂😂 Love you girls so much. Lety from Chicago 💞
Thank you for watching!! **Please note, we've recently learned that there is a recall on the rock n play!**
Additional video --> 3 T I P S F O R Y O U R B A B Y R E G I S T R Y :
See the full video on FB here: facebook.com/474379899366747/posts/1549820258489367/
Or see the video on IGTV here: instagram.com/tv/B8ux6rhnUGu/
I vacuumed under the cribs, with the sleeping children, on babies 2-4. I was a quiet Mama with baby 1 and really regretted it. The other babies learned to live with us, not the other way around. From day one, we lived and the babies learned to be so used to family sounds, that they slept like little rocks through the life of a family. Great tips, thanks!
KJIH I vacuumed under baby’s crib, too! I have no idea how I thought of that!!
I have tried this with all of my kids and it hasn't worked. They have been light sleepers until the age of 2, BUT the sound machine is such a blessing. They will be soothed by soft music or 1 steady sound that isn't too loud, but not much else. It was a frustrating few years. I did what I was advised by so many- make noise so they get used to it. Ugh. ..they never did as younger babies. But that white noise machine ♡♡♡♡ AAAAAMEN! 😁😁😁😁😃
One of my kids would fall asleep most easily when she would hear me talking to someone else. I found that totally logical because she had heard that sound for all of her life, as early as intrauterine ;-) Creature comforts, I suppose.
My daughter worked full time in an automotive factory until 38 weeks pregnant. My grandson sleeps like a rock. He actually likes noise to sleep to and it takes a lot for him to wake up. Even our loud beagle barking at the door bell doesnt phase him.
@@meganrasey4377 My youngest 2 were the same way!
I had twins - and the zippered sleepers were basically all they wore while we figured out life together. Snaps are *hard* at 2:00am :D. I had one that had reflux, so we definitely went through more than needing 3 - but you guys are spot on with "wait and see what you need". Truth be told, we moved into a bigger house after they were born (3 kids total), because we were inundated with stuff. This past year (kids now 9, 6 and 6), we sold everything and are full time RV living. Minimalism (and no diapers!) has forever changed our lives - and YOU are to thank!
My daughter was opposite would wake up with zipper sleepers and her one leg would always get stuck but would sleep through diaper changes with snap sleepers. The 5 snaps at the bottom allowed us to keep her warm and not undo the top. This may change for summer though.
Shannon Eaton How cute cool 😎 is THAT!! You should RUclips your adventures !! Do you love it?? Happy you did it? I’m single, old and not in the best health, but if it wasn’t for all that, I’d love to RV around the countryside!! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Leanne B yeah, I don’t mind snaps honestly. I also just prefer the sleep sacks right now.
Shannon Eaton! Do you have a RUclips channel?! I love watching families who are fulltime RV living!
I loved the zippered sleepers and also the bag sleepers too (I actually don't know what they are truly called since I've only called them bags lol). Those bags were amazing! Drawstring at the bottom, easy peasy.
Full time RVing is awesome! Happy travels!
Mom of 9, muslin blanket 2, 2 hooded towels with washcloths, mesh bath seat they dry fast and fold out of the way, changing table held all of babies things, burp cloths, ergo or ring sling. I still have my ring sling with shoulder pad I got 25 years ago and it's still GOOD. My kids had a wooden ring to chew on, nuby necklace with the colorful beads, that moose and a Sophie giraffe..then I had a chew necklace I used with all of them. And I got a diaper bag set that had 2 bags. I used the small bag, never used the big one even with several little ones. I used cloth so I could adjust snaps for who ever needed it. This bag still looks new and I just passed it on after 25 years. Then I got coming home outfit, one pack of onsies for each size, after first 4 I wish they had all been neutral from first baby lol, 2 gowns, 3 sleep n play per size and couple caps. As they got older a few books, blocks and stacking and sorting toy. And I've used a hape kitchen through almost all my kids it has lime green and came with food and pots. As they got older we added a baby doll, doll house, Legos, cars, stroller, dress ups and balance bikes. They have played with everything except the doll house they take everything out and play with everything elsewhere just like yours Dawn. Things we don't like is paint, markers, glue, and rice lol seriously we stopped eating any rice till they got to be around 7-8 lol and glitter is a church art not a home art accessory Oh and I second the bouncy seat and would add a highchair. We had a 4in one and could use differentparts for 2 kids at a time. And we co slept till they got in twin beds so no other beds needed. We didn't do strollers but bought one for $5 bucks, the umbrella strollers right before I had my last so daddy could get through the hospital faster with the little ones. The parking garage was very far. Love this video! Oh a glider rocker with ottoman or other rocking recliner I feel is a must. At a shower or sprinkle ask for stuff in bigger sizes and those simple toys. Don't be afraid to ask for a high chair either. Or plug covers for when they get bigger
I worked as a NP in a pediatric clinic sometime ago. We used to tell our expectant moms that baby needed a car seat, a place to sleep ( a dresser drawer, bassinet whatever as long as it’s safe), something to eat ( breast is best and already comes I it’s own container-lol), something to wear/stay warm ( diapers and a few blankets) My youngest child is 19- never had a video monitor and after my first baby I stopped using the baby monitor. I could pretty much hear them if they needed me. A stroller and/or baby carrier is helpful too. Love your videos!
The Rock n Plays were recalled last spring as an fyi 💜💜
R Myrtle GREAT POST!!! Thanks!
YESSSS! And not all of the poor babies that died in them where from misuse like not using the buckles. Some where from babies with poor head control being able to move their head to clear their airway. 💔
Mamas! Excellent list!
I loved a “wet bag” in the diaper bag- used them for when clothes got soiled, now use for wet swim suits at the rec center.
allysyoutube yes those things come in handy and you just throw it in the wash.
I tossed a plastic bag in it.
this is awesome! I never bought one just always kept a recycles shopping bag and an extra garbage bag folded up in there. Free, easy to replace, and I don't have to wash it!
My oldest is 40 and I made my own carrier out of denim before there were many to buy (1978)I didn’t have a pattern and used my teddy bear as a model baby. Good times! By the way, all 4 grand kids eventually used the carrier.
That's cool!
how cool!
We were in the military having our second baby 28 years ago, stationed overseas. We didn’t have anywhere to buy baby things, and didn’t have the money to buy them anyway. So, we really do know that you do not need very many things at all with a new baby. We hardly had anything, and it really worked out just fine. Thanks, Jennifer
If no one else already said it, I would add binkie clips! Such a small thing but was huge for us when our girls were babies. If your kiddo takes a binkie, then it's really helpful. Before we got them, we would be in a panic if we realized we left the house without a binkie. 😅 Having it clipped on her was super helpful, especially in public places too.
And a nursing cover was needed for me. I had lots of burp cloths (too many and I have downsized a lot for our third one due in May!) and those are mutli purpose, but I liked the security and privacy of an actual cover that wrapped around my neck. :)
And YES to the cheap small backpacks as diaper bags! Got mine at Ross. Way easier on my back and not as easy to overstuff with non-essentials.
I love hand me downs, but learned my lesson about being clear about exchanges. When I had my daughter, my sister-in-law "gave" me all her baby girl things. She had two daughters, so there was a lot of stuff (including toddler and older kid sizes). I went through it all and gave away things I didn't think I would need. Then.... about a year later, she was pregnant again and asked for the things back! Apparently she intended to "lend" me the things, not give. I still feel anxious thinking about it... having to explain to her that I didn't keep it all. I ended up buying some things (mobile, etc) brand new to make up for it. So, some cautionary advice - make sure to ask whether things are "for keeps" or just "for now". :)
Good tip!
My friend "gave" me alot of cloth for boy since I have had two girls before him... Now she is pregnant with 4th baby and I'm so glad I didn't gave away what I didn't need/use... I will give her back now
@@AD-dj6zi Glad you kept it all! Smart thinking. :)
Thank you for sharing that!! My gen needs to hear that!
Good advice! Thank you!
Instead of a white noise machine we simply used a fan. Works like a charm! We don’t point the fan at the baby, but the white noise worked great!
And using a fan reduces the risk of SIDs.
Me too
I made a baby changing station on top of my dresser(bath towel and needed supplies) in our bedroom to change the baby at night after nursing , then I could put them back to sleep in the bassinet (garage sale find!) in our room. Once the baby slept through the night they went to their own room. My babies either burped up a lot or drooled a lot and needed bibs around their necks 24/7.....I had 20+bibs since I had to change them multiple times a day! Bouncy seat was nice and used with both. They really don’t need much!
I agree with all your ideas. My 2 cents on a couple items.
For crib: Don't buy a fancy one with the conversion set to a twin bed frame! You never know if your crib is even going to survive the teething phase because that wooden top can sometimes be a favorite and it will look like a beaver destroyed your fancy investment
For sound machine: I think a sound machine is essential also for mommy stress. Dads usually sleep through anything but a mom tends to be extremely attuned to every tiny sound coming through the monitor. With out a sound machine to cover all the little innocent noises babies make while sleeping, us mommies are constantly up checking on them thinking the worst....
Car seat and stroller! My daughter had a stroller that was pretty compact that held the car seat. We liked that. After 2 children and 4 grand children I’d say a medium bulk stroller was our fave. We liked a one pice handle better than the two hook handles so it could be pushed with one hand. Easy to fold and lift with one hand also a plus.
Thanks, ladies, that was fun! My baby is 33 years old now, but gowns with draw strings at the bottom were my #1 essential for her when she was very young. It’s SO much easier to change diapers under a gown than in a onesie or footed sleeper!
Susan Peterson I liked gowns too until they were able to crawl.
Yes!!!! I used gowns! The BEST for changing diapers in the night!
If you check out old photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s, all babies (males and females) were in dresses/gowns until they were fully toilet trained. It makes diaper changes and runs to the potty so much easier.
Yep, I love the Elastic bottoms on them now or bottom that folds up
Thank you for putting a sound machine on the list, I feel this is something most parents have no idea how valuable they are with help a little one sleep and the rest of the family to feel comfortable making noise in the house when baby is sleeping. Also to look on market place for items. Baby items are used for such a short time so getting gently used stuff is so wonderful. Thank you ladies!
They have white nose apps too!! Lifesaver on the go- you're taking your phone anyway so it's one less thing to carry :)
Kathy George yes, and one less thing to pack when you go on vacation!
Nice tip... Thank you
The swaddle blankets are great for making forts as the children get older too! :)
I totally agree to the sleepers and onesies! My daughter lives in those! They really were her most comfortable clothes. Those fancy baby jeans, frilly blouses and dresses she would grab at, start crying, and became fussy wearing. It’s about baby’s comfort and protection, not the parents representing their style on baby dressing. My favorite tip of your baby essentials!
Dawn, you are so funny having your little helper to demo the items you talked about and then took hand off to demo the ‘baby’. Too cute :)
Oh I love baby stuff shopping!!! I only had one but lots of friends let me shop LOL. Oh Diana you are truly glowing!!!
We got a pack'n'play that had an insert for littler babies to sleep in before they could sit up. It suspended from the top and made it shallower so was easy to reach in to get bub. Used it heaps. Ours used the same mattress from the bottom of the pack'n'play so was great for my baby giant who quickly outgrew the LARGE cradle we had.
Its literally different for every baby though. My first loved to be worn so we bought baby carriers but no swings or special bassinets etc. My 2nd has special needs to we went through a ton of different devices to help her sit, had to try several high chairs and car seats....so much baby gear! And my 3rd baby likes swings, but not to be worn. The best advice is ask friends for baby stuff to borrow so you're not out a bunch of money if stuff doesnt work out.
My boys were opposites. The one liked his bed, the one liked my bed. The one ate from the pump bottles, the other wanted gerber bottles. The one woke easily, the other I could vacuum under the bed. The one wanted the pacifier, the other didn’t. Now they are adults. One is a nerdy boy, the other artistic. The one likes pork, the other beef. It’s nice because I have favourite things for them and memories are affixed to each guy. A staple in our home was a playpen...been a few years! 😄
I don’t have a baby now but I watched the video because I love watching you guys. You don’t disappoint.
I cloth diapered 2 kiddos when I was working full time. You can totally do it! ❤
That "old fashioned diaper" is on my 5 month old right now 😂😂 Prefolds are the best!
@@chelseaandrews200 I still remember the love I had for those little prefolded diapars. And I loved all the money saved! I had a system for washing and air drying! One thing: anyone trying cloth diapars, watch the amount and kind of soap/detergent. Use a nontoxic one, and do the several rinses. I started out with more like the recommended amount of detergent or soap, and then ran rinses to clear with the washer. It was unbelievable how many rinses it took before suds weren't coming out with the rinse water. Now I use nontoxic detergent, and if a little did accidentally get left, it probably woulnd't even bother the tender tushes like the other detergents/soaps did.
We have Alexa play ocean wave sounds in our childrens rooms at night. It helps send them off and blocks out other noises that would waken them. 👍🏻
Hello! I'm fond of your advices for minimal living! Thank you! As to the last point of this list - baby carrier, as a mom of two with big experience with slings, I must say, that the best and the healthiest option for both mother and child are ergonomic carriers. Others like kangaroo etc are bad for the spine of both. I don't want to be critical, but if future moms are going to buy a carrier, please search firstly about ergonomic carriers.
We use our pack and play all the time! Foster mom for 35 yrs.
I love the baby items. The one worry with co-sleeping is that it does raise the risk of SIDS according to studies. A crib that can be right beside the parents bed can be a good option.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
There is no risk of SIDS unless you are smoking in bed or drinking alcohol. Babies can easily sleep in parents bed.
@@enailu86 unfortunately this is not true. Do not put your baby at risk and choose a safe sleep space
I got all my bottles for free from the registry bags (Target, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, etc) as well as the insurance-provided pump box. I also got free tins of formula from those boxes too!
You all have so many awesome things that we didn't have years ago, when I had my babies.😊
Good to know some of them for when my gkids visit too~❤
I love the mix trial sets of bottles. Was great to have several to try. We found the winner and stuck with it for the next couple of years.
I also signed up for all the freebies from making wish lists at various stores and then kept all the different brand of pacifiers that came with them. This also helped narrow it down to one brand.
I agree! Borrow, borrow, borrow until you figure out what you want & need. We hated my best friend’s favorite carrier but loved a borrowed bassinet that I thought we wouldn’t use. And definitely keep the tags on those clothes!
A fan has always been our "white noise machine" 😊
My oldest is 22 and I STILL use the container thing to wash lids and rings, etc in the dishwasher on the top rack.
A swing was essential for my kids. Baby Einstein was big when my kids were babies....we listened to music and to this day the cd i played immediately makes all six of us sleepy. I also co-slept with a couple of my kids .... Was working full time and had to do what i had to do.
The only baby seat type thing we really used for all 4 kids was a baby swing. I totally agree with the sleepers. They are so comfy for them! And simple!
We loved the Muslim burbs clothes. Our staple was plain white towels and face clothes. We were gifted so many hooded towels etc and he out grew them fast. It was nicer to wrap him in a big towel. Another tip is to sign up for all the baby freebies and samples. That's how we tried bottles etc. We have enough sample baby wash and bum cream until hes a teenager lol. We donated alot to a nearby shelter. We also out grew things fast at first. We have tons of gifts that are unworn etc. We packed a bin with all the brand new stuff for upcoming baby showers. We also save the diaper boxes. They are sturdy and great for putting all the outgrown clothing etc in them. Also check out local big box places for diapers. We buy from Costco. A case that lasts 6 weeks is about 40.00 cdn. We are positive the diapers are made by a name brand for them. We love the Kirkland brand diapers. The Pampers wipes by the case are amazing. You can never have enough for messy clean ups. Also a tip we found. We put a Google mini into my grandsons room (hes almost 2). After story time if hes still restless we ask the google mini to tell him a bedtime story. In tandum with the monitor, you can use the voice on the monitor to reactivate the mini if you need to. I swear my grandsons first statement was okay Google lol. I also use it to send music to his room at bedtime. Babies are so much fun. It can be a little stressful but once you find your communication it's amazing. My biggest advice is to try and be calm. The baby feeds off your vibe. If your calm and the baby gets that they can relax as well. ❤❤❤
My new babies sleep in my room so I changed my night stand light bulb to an 8 watt bulb so it was more like a night light. Zipper sleepers are a must, pack n plays are not necessary but I’m finally using mine in the house as a play pen for my 15 month old to keep him out of trouble while I homeschool. I’ve definitely gone more minimal with every baby. The only thing they need a lot of is love!
My baby days are behind me but you are "right on" with your tips. So many new moms buy everything they see in the store and have many regrets. I am a grandma now of a three year old and literally have one change of clothes and pajamas at my house with a pack of pull-ups and a pack of wipes at my house. I keep a gallon Ziploc bag tucked behind her car seat with two pull-ups and some wipes in a smaller Ziploc bag. We are good to go. Of course for tiny babies, you will need a bottle of two. If a crazy accident happens, you can always run to Wal-Mart and get a change of clothes for under $10.
Donna Braud I kept a diaper and wipes at least in my car for my grandkids. Also had my own car seats since my grand kids live close and go with me pretty often.
Silicone tethers! Medical grade means you can boil them. And my baby LIVED in the Ergo until age three. Worth every penny.
Something that we did is we also had a plastic tub in the trunk of our car that had additional baby items in it (and we changed it out as the kids grew). Extra diapers, wipes, washable changing mat, sippy cups, bottled water, a complete change of clothes (seasonal), ziplock bags (for soiled items) and a blanket. We also kept additional car toys in there that we would rotate through the vehicle and back to the box (never anything that was in the house--it was more special that way). We lived overseas where it was a long drive to anywhere and more than once those additional clothes/diapers etc came in handy when we were nowhere near civilization! We did this for YEARS and it was a great way to keep the diaper bag lighter knowing you still had supplies available to restock your bag in case of a mommy emergency!
I absolutely love everything you create, Dawn! I am SO thankful for you. ❤️ I hope this doesn't come across as rude at all, but please really reconsider using the rock n play. I had one too, but now know how very dangerous they are. Thanks again for all that you do, I truly appreciate your videos!
YESSSS! And not all of the poor babies that died in them where from misuse like not using the buckles. Some where from babies with poor head control being able to move their head to clear their airway. 💔
I am due in 2 weeks and my other daughter is 8 years old. I have gained some wisdom through that time and We are going super minimal this time around! Thanks for the tips
I think your main message is very true - wait and see what YOUR baby needs. We never used a bouncy seat, for example. As for a place to sleep - I really loved having a babybay for my second daughter. It made sleeping at night so much easier.
Nice list 👍🏼
Minimalism for babies is the easiest minimalism of all 😁
The only things you need for baby in my opinion is
-5 season appropriate baby outfits.
-10 flat cloth diapers
-2 or 3 diaper covers
- diaper snappies or pins
-2 good blankets (one thick enough to be a playmat)
-a nap mat
-any mid sized bag or purse
-a baby carrier (or scarf + 2 stretch tank tops)
That’s it.
I am about to have baby number 5 and by number 3 I was able to leave the house, during decent weather, with just a wallet, a single cloth diaper and a plastic grocery bag tied into a tiny ball on my keys. It made life so much simpler!
Swaddles blankets i didnt use as much as i thought i would but sleep sacks and the love to dream swaddle up 50/50 i loved, aden and anais burpy bibs are the best, the hatch baby rest sound machine i loved so much i bought myself one, the carrier was essential for me, and a pack n play with bassinet and a toy bar were amazing.
I couldn't live without my microwave steam sterilizer, the Graco windup swing and cosytoes for the buggy. 💖
My daughter just had her first baby and it seems the “Halo” swaddle sleepers are really key for them. So is the bopping pillow..
We did not have a white sound machine. Our first was awake, I swear, when we even looked at her. The other two slept with the sounds of home. We had a two story house. We used a bassinette downstairs with the first two when they were real little. With the third, we had a pack-n-play with an elevated level for when he was tiny, and we used that all the time. The other thing about the pack n play was that he was "at home in his own crib" when we traveled, and would sleep well in it. Sleepers for sure were the most versatile, practicle clothing pieces. or our first, we received many dresses and other dressy clothes. Many of which were worn once. And many of which she was restless and uncomfortable in. With the second and third, we went with comfort and ease all the way. One thing that is available now are the little leather Robies and they are such comfy little shoes, and they are a nice gift. No little babies here, but fun to listen and think about!
Nosefrida; a good thermometer is Essential; regular-sized fingernail clippers; insulated infant seat cover is a nice thing to have for cold climates (bonus: the baby isn't wearing anything bulky under the straps - this goes on top of the car seat and straps, and zips up, with a hole for the baby's head); easily-collapsable-with-one-hand stroller with cup holder and enough storage underneath for a diaper bag and/or sack of groceries; Robeez for when they're learning to walk - hard for the baby to pull off and lose, esp. if worn with socks. A set of stacking cups and some blocks, and maybe a secure key ring with some old keys (washed, of course).
My 4 kids, who are now from 47 to 37, lived in onesies and dr. denton pj's till they could walk. They are the best. Buy the way Gage did a great job in the video.
I'm pregnant with our first and this video was so helpful! Would love to hear more wisdom from the two of you about kids and minimal/money-conscious living!
I love the stretchy swaddle blankets, like copper pearl brand
Both my kids spat up... A LOT! Invest in big burp clothes (I loved using cloth diapers) and bibs of all sizes. I also needed a stock of Oxi Clean and/or Shout!
I still have my Eddie Bauer diaper bag/back pack from my first son born 24 year's ago!!! Sill in good shape even after washing...
YES to the white noise machine! YES YES YES! I still use it with my 4 year old as we have noisy floor boards.
My daughter finally got a video monitor for baby 3, and it is wonderful. When I babysit the grands, I can take the older ones outside to play while the baby is napping in the house, but I can monitor when he wakes up. We had a sound only monitor for the first two, and it was just not as useful.
My daughter used a Pack N Play for her second child until she was probably almost 2 because the two girls were not compatible sleepers for a long time. Her #3 is now 20 months old, and he sleeps in the Pack N Play now. The two girls have now moved from their cribs to big girl beds; for right now the actual cribs are dismantled and put away. Being able to easily move the Pack N Play to other rooms or for travel has worked well. Baby #4 will also be in some kind of Pack N Play type bed when he/she arrives in the next couple of weeks.
One other thing that we got when my daughter was a baby was a portable playyard type fence. We put it around our old-fashioned very heavy TV on a cart (30+ years ago before flat-screens were around- and it protected both the TV and my daughter from damage.) Now all these years later, she uses the same fence to keep the kids away from the brick hearth/fireplace. It is a little worn, but it does its job and we have certainly gotten our money's worth out of it
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. When my daughter was born, we must have received 10 or so baby dresses for her from people at church. Very few of them got much wear. Keeping babies in sleepers just simplifies life.
This is super helpful! Thank you, Dawn and Diana! My husband and I are preparing for our first baby❤
Love the comment about 'something your husband will wear' - our backpack was black!
I agree. You really don’t need much for babies. It’s tough too because if it’s your first baby and someone is throwing you a shower I feel like you get pressure to register for all the baby things. And if you don’t register, you just end up getting whatever that person thinks you need and that’s not always ideal either. I’m minimizing and decluttering and the amount of baby stuff I’m getting rid of is just insane.
Side note: rock n plays are no longer being sold and have been recalled due to infant deaths. Everyone said to get one so I had one with my first but threw it out for my second after I heard about the dangers.
Cloud Island PJs from Target are the BEST! They have inverted zippers so you unzip bottom to top so only the legs/belly are exposed when changing diaper so baby can stay warm! Also, they have the fold over sleeves in all the sizes! My baby would scratch herself as she slept and sometimes it'd wake her up. So everytime she goes down for a nap or to bed we cover her hands and she sleeps so much better that way. (I'm not a big Target person, I learned about the PJs from Jordan Page! She is about to have baby #7 and #8 anyday now so she's pretty much an expert lol 😍)
I actually really love cloth diapers solely for the fact that there are next to no blowouts with them!!! 🎉🎉🎉 Love My Baby brand on Amazon is the cheapest I've found for quality pocket diapers with snaps. I loved them.
Rock n plays have been recalled. Many babies have died in them. Some through misuse and others from the babies with lack of head control being able to move their head to have a clear airway. 💔
I LOVE our bouncer! We have one that takes batteries and bounces the baby 🎉 game changer!
I love my baby ktan wrap! Just used it today actually when we were out and about and my baby needed a nap.
We LOVE sleep sacks! We're big on the fleece ones from Carters (Walmart use to sell them too but then stopped for some reason?). It's a wearable blanket! Because it is highly recommended to have zero blankets in the sleep area with baby per SIDS prevention guidelines.
If you need a crib bumper try the mesh ones, they are breathable if baby gets their face all up in it. I don't think stores even sell non mesh bumpers anymore (thank goodness).
Stroller that carseat can easily lock onto and then just be a regular stroller when you need it to be. I love the Baby Trend jogger one! It's price cheap but great quality, in my opinion.
Bottle brushes are awesome for washing dishes other than just bottles too.
Our second baby loves her mattress vibrator paddle thing we got off Amazon.
Putting the carseat handle all the way down (behind baby) when it's in the car is extra protection incase of an accident. I know a lot of people leave it up incase of a roll over accident but you're more likely to get into a front, side, or back impact accident than a roll over.
No rice cereal, it has arsenic in it. 😳 (No idea how they are allowed to be sold....)
In a pinch an (empty) laundry basket makes a great bassinet!
Invest in a good digital thermometer that you can touch to baby's forehead.
Fanny packs can fit a little thing of wipes and a few diapers. I love using that when I don't need to bring the entire diaper bag along. I used it at Disney World/Universal for my then 2 year old when we lived in the area and would go a few times a week. It was awesome. Light weight, barely remembered it was there. Can hold other things too. Don't have to take it off to go on rides. I got a super cute one at Clair's and I love it.
A noisy box fan works just as well as a noise machine. That is what my friend did with hers and I do it with mine now too, but I bet a noise machine is much easier to travel with. Also, 3 - 5 muslin blankets, onsies, and wraps are fine if you have a washer/dryer at home. If however, you are like me and have to go to the laundry mat I'd recommend 10 - 14 of each, depending on how often you go to the laundry mat. Definitely buy a few more than you think you'll need because going to the laundry mat is not going to be a priority in the beginning. My little guy came to me with an undiagnosed allergy to his formula and to the red dye in medicine; he threw up constantly so it wasn't unusual to go through 3 - 5 sets of clothing and onsies in a day. Even once we sorted his formula and I stopped all meds with red dye he still would go through more than 3 - 5 sets in a week, sometimes in a day. Spit up, food and formula spills during feeding, etc.
Big Avent ( or any brand tbh) steam steriliser for bottles/ pumping equipment, nipple shields and pacifiers - ran it every night for as long as we used baby bottles and then we used it occasionally for the the sippy cups too. Ran it during the day too, I think it took about 15 minutes to steam sterilise and then dry down, no need to watch it (unlike a boiling pot or water on the stove) and no need to use the Milton's solution which imho are harsh chemicals that we can do without. I know some people use a microwave steam steriliser but we don't have a microwave and didn't want one. Once we were done with it we donated it to a friend who had gone on to do donate to someone else - so it's a real workhorse.
These are all really interesting. I got a pack and play with a double bassinet and my boys slept in there for the first several months. They each had two pacifiers, one for holding off the nighttime feeding and one for the car/church, and we phased those out at six months. I never used a white noise machine, I was blessed with great sleepers and they sleep through everything. My life saver was a double stroller that the car seats could click into, that way I could get out with both of them by myself, and we went for lots of walks once they were able to sit in the stroller seats. A baby carrier was great too, when I went grocery shopping I would keep one in their car seat and I would wear the other. We used booster seats instead of high chairs and at first we actually used them on the floor because we didn't have a proper kitchen table and chairs, we had stools. They lived in sleepers for the first 6 months,I loved the sleepers that snapped. They're two now and average about 5 shirts each. But they have like 20 pairs of pants, yay for potty training 😒
Amanda Lashley awwwww!! So lovely to have twins!!
As a mom of 3 under 3 who sleep trained (all 3 sleep through the night since 2 months old) I highly recommend the hatch sound machine! I color code it and have timers set so my kids know when it’s nap time vs bedtime. Totally worth the investment!
My kids went through 7/8 sleepers a day. 2 snowsuits a day I’d no dryer so I needed double everything so up to 40 sleep suits 4/5 snow suits countless blankets. 😬
Wow her baby is just gorgeous
The rap that you guys showed I still use it in my daughters one it’s really helpful when you have to go through things on your own and it has a very good video to show you how to use it
I agree with pretty much all you said. If you borrow older equipment please make sure it is in good condition still. Our borrowed swing looked ok and then started sparking /smoking one day. Thankfully our son wasn't in it at the time. My essentials list would be minimal now but would definitely include a stroller in that list.
I recycled old cotton t shirts for a carrier. Friendly enough for non sewers and just snug enough and I could keep her legs up and comfortable.
I have a 6 week old, our first baby, and would agree with all of this. I have more onesies and muslin cloths though which works for us because I hate laundry lol. Plus he seems to spit up a lot? So if we only had 5 of each then we would be needing to do laundry pretty much everyday (wash, dry and fold) which isn’t not a top priority to me. Plus, we got a ton of those as gifts!!
I would recommend Burts Bees clothing, I love their onesies. They can be organic which is important to us, and I love the neutrals (they are all white and grey).
Also just wanted to say, I don’t have social media accounts besides RUclips so I really hope you guys don’t put everything on FB or IG! I love your videos, they are such an inspiration. God Bless!
I have a newborn right now, and 5 sleepers and onsies is NOT enough! My baby is 1 month old and he pees, poops or pukes on 3-4 outfits a day! As a sleep deprived parent, I'm not doing a load of laundry every single day! I think I have about 10 and that's perfect to go a couple days. This baby is my #7 and I've never used a baby monitor or a noise machine. I'm glad we have our pack n play, but we only use it for traveling. The one thing I love that you didn't mention was a boppy pillow! I use it for nursing, to lay baby in on the couch or my bed, and I also make my other children use it when they are holding the baby. Babies definitly don't need as much stuff as we think. I remember being so overwhelmed by how much stuff (I thought) we had to buy when I was expecting my first.
I think we are done having babies, but I still enjoyed you two talk about this. I highly recommend a Mei Tai baby carrier, my third baby lived there and I only wish I already had one with our eldest. You can use it when they are a toddler also, they carried both on back and belly.
#10-car seat (instead of the carrier), #11-stroller
Definitely needed more sleepers for my boys than just 5 in each size. That wouldn’t even last a day for them during the newborn to 3-6 month stages (0-3 months)!
Also, we got a changing table never used it regularly. We had diapers and such with it, but generally used a waterproof pad on our sofa. Especially when baby number 2 came, we never used it! We had a combo crib/ changing table, and for baby number 2 the table was never set up.
I shared this video (and other similar ones re: baby registry) with my daughter who is expecting her 1st baby soon. Really appreciate both of you for sharing your experience and wisdom 😘. She is very fortunate to receive well loved baby items from friends and friends of friends! She’s also bought a number of used baby items on FB Marketplace. Good tips about the diaper bag, and she received a very similar one you showed as a shower gift.
I use an air purifier as a white noise machine. Works great!
Lol I wish I could've seen this... my first just turned one and the amount of stuff I bought was slightly ridiculous. Definitely learned that what I envisioned in my head and baby's preferences werent always the same. 😆
Great tips. My kids are older now, but I totally agree. I can't believe the stuff we bought and got. The only thing I would not recommend is the nose thing. Besides it being gross, our pediatrician say it might irritate the inside of the the nose even more and make it swell up. He recommended not to use it. We didn't and never had any issues.
We have still sound machines in our room and my sons (14 yr old) room. Helps on weekends when you still need sleep and he wants to stay up later and talk with friends because our house isn’t a split floor plan.
I use a small fan turned against the wall as our noise machine. I've read that actual noise instead of a digital sound mach me is better for their ears and brain. It's cheap too!
I have 2 little boys and #3 on the way, and I totally agree that babies need very little. ❤️ I bought loads of stuff, everything brand new and top of the line with my first. I spent way too much money and all that stuff cluttered up our home. Yes, borrow!! Buy used!! The things I used the most: Moby Wrap & Ergobaby, the Lotus travel crib used at home as you don’t have to struggle to lean over, it zips in the front. And now they have a cordless breastpump, Elvie, that I’m thinking may be worth the investment.
The bounce seat..... = "The Puppy Chair"..... my youngest daughter has used and LOVED that same chair through 2 babies and you're right....they LIVED in that thing... lol
We are about to have twins and this is so helpful!
I totally went the opposite on a diaper bag! I'm home with my daughter, so I wanted something that I like. 😂 My husband will carry it too, but I don't think blue florals would have been his first pick. 😂
Expecting baby #2! Thank you so much for this! My eldest is 3, and boy, there some things you really forget! I pulled out newborn clothes and my first didn't even wear about half of what we have. I DO however remember that sleepers are basically the only thing they wear. lol
The rocker bed you showed was my all time favorite! Both my girls had reflux, they weren’t around for my first daughter but they had come out for my second and it’s the only thing she could safely sleep in. Also another must for me was a bottle warmer. My second daughter had to be on prescription formula after a couple months of breast feeding and having a bottle warmer in the middle of the night or even the day was great!
I got lucky. Both of my boys were fine the bottles that came with the pump. I never had to buy any others. This is a great list. Luckily I found minimalism right before I had my first so I only went with the essentials and pretty much used most of the things I received. Except for maybe the loads of hand me downs from cousins. The only thing I didn’t have with my first that I have with my second is a sound machine and you are so right, now I’m hooked and have one in my room too!
We never had a sound machine. You could vacuum under the crib with my daughter, she was such a sound sleeper.
Oh my goodness!! Your daughter is darling!! You must have so much fun with her curly-whirly hair. Best wishes on baby #2!! You almost made me baby hungry...almost...(5 is enough for me 😄).
A monitor and white noise machine are both non-essential in my books. Give them a minute when they fuss or cry and you'll know whether they will settle back down or not. Also, we always spoke in normal voices and carried on in the house normally so our kids slept (and still sleep -- they are 12 and 9 now) through pretty much any time regular noises.
My daughter (35 next month!! How did that happen??😳), was a very "sicky" baby. She constant regurgitated milk between feeds for no apparent reason for over a year, so muslin cloths were absolutely essential to save clothes, furniture and to clean her up. So much so that she slept with a cloth and her favourite teddy for years. They were totally invaluable, easy to wash and a life saver as far as our clothes went. Diana, you are absolutely glowing and Addy and Gage are both adorable! xx
I struggled with nursing bras and their clasps, so i discovered that a good sports bra worked great for me to nurse in. I also couldn’t handle nursing tops, hence in the end I had to sell all of those I bought prior to the baby being born. I didn’t invest in a diaper genie initially. We used a regular trash can with a lid and scented trash bags. But by the time we had baby #2, it was too stinky in their room that I bought a diaper genie from FB marketplace and we still have it now 4 babies later. Hooded towels aren’t necessary I’ve learned. They are great for when the baby is very young and small, but as they get to even 6-8 months, a regular towel works just as great. I live in Canada, so I’ve learned the importance of a good, fleece-lined car seat cover in the winter. That was a great buy from marketplace and a total essential item to have. Oh, and stroller! I’ve learned that the lighter, the more compact the better. I’ve gone through many strollers. In the end, I found that the “sit and stow” or “stow and go” (can’t remember the exact name) was the best and easiest to maneuver especially with multiple other kids in town and groceries in hands. ~mandy
Thought of another one: sleepers. I know some busy mamas who have their newborns just live in sleepers, and that is totally fine. I didn't have a problem dressing them during the day in basic clothes (onesies, pants, socks), and have a few cuts outfits for going out. Infant clothes are designed to be comfortable and babies can sleep in anything, really. I never felt the need to dress them in pajamas for all their naps.
We’re going to be first time grandparents this June and yes these a lot of things out there now a lot more since having my own kids half of it you don’t need a lot of it
Xx
I would add with the muslin blankets, they are super cute to hang up as decor as well, and you can swap them out. ❤ nesting is fun but as you said taking off all those tags was a waste for me because I ended up with a baby over 9lbs! 💙
Lol their laughs make me smile =) so much zalikes
Omgoodness Diana's daughter is a doll. Such gorgeous eyes.
All great info. I have 2 daughters, 1 & 4 years old, the sound machine is definitely a must have and yes even a second one by the door too 😂😂😂😂😂
Love you girls so much.
Lety from Chicago 💞